"Haynes
was one of my favorite teachers," Smith said. "I had him in government class so
he must have done something right."

Smith
spoke to the sophomore civics class Tuesday, Nov. 19, and touched on a number
of topics, including his duties as mayor and marijuana decriminalization in the
city of Jackson.

A
common theme in Smith's presentation was that sometimes concerned residents, and
not politicians, can make a difference in local government.

"I
think it's important to show that politics isn't something that you need a lot
of money or necessarily experience to do," Smith said. "Especially in the
political climate we're in today."

Smith
said his campaign raised only $802 and his platform of an open-door policy with
open communication at City Hall was enough to win him an election.

"In
a representative form of government the people are in charge, and it's important
not to forget that," he told the class of about 20 students. "I just had to go
door to door and prove that I did my homework."

Smith
said he decided to run after a friend of his stayed at his Jackson home and
told him "to make a difference from the inside."

"My
friend protests a lot of political events and is the only friend I have that
was arrested at both a Republican and Democratic National Convention in the
same year," Smith said. "We were discussing what is wrong with local government,
and he suggested I run for mayor."

Michigan Center sophomore Madison Palacios, 15, said Smith's visit to the school was valuable
and his message was inspiring.

"He
showed us that anyone can go into politics and make a difference," she said.

Contact Will
Forgrave at wforgrav@mlive.com or 517-262-7554. Follow him on Twitter at
@WillForgrave.